Attacker was seen at Golden Temple on Tuesday too: Police
Police were keeping an eye on former Khalistani terrorist Narayan Singh Chaura who had visited the Golden Temple on Tuesday too, a day before his failed attempt on the life of Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal, a senior official said.
Chaura on Wednesday opened fire from a close range at Badal, who was performing the duty of 'sewadar' at the main gate of the Sikh shrine as a religious penance, but missed as he was overpowered by plainclothes policemen.
Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar on Wednesday lauded the police personnel, saying their alertness had foiled the murder bid.
He said the police had seized a 9 mm pistol from Chaura.
Bhullar said the police would investigate all angles in the case, including if any organisation was behind the incident.
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Harpal Singh said the police were keeping an eye on the accused. "We had covered Sukhbir Ji,” he said, adding that the cops had been alert.
“Chaura was roaming around here yesterday (Tuesday) as well”, he said.
Senior SAD leader and former Punjab minister Bikram Singh Majithia questioned why police did not take action against Chaura who faced multiple cases, many of them serious ones.
"I have shared a video that the accused was in the area since yesterday," Majithia told reporters in Amritsar.
"He was dressed in a cream-coloured sweater yesterday. If the police were so alert, why did they not arrest him? Police were giving him VIP treatment and probably waiting for the bullet to be fired," Majithia said.
“Punjab Police should also tell why it compromised with the safety of Sukhbir Badal by allowing the attacker to approach him and fire at point-blank range”, he said.
As other devotees entered the shrine, the shooter slowly walked towards Badal (62), who was sitting in a wheelchair due to a fractured leg, and pulled out a gun from his pocket.
Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Jasbir Singh, who was standing close to Badal in plainclothes, sensed the threat to the senior Akali leader and pounced on the shooter, grabbed his hands and pushed them upwards after which the attacker was overpowered with the help of other security personnel and SGPC task force members.
Speaking to the media in Amritsar, Bhullar said a case has been registered in the matter and investigation was being done from each angle.
"We are deeply investigating the matter. What was his (Chaura) mentality and what did he have in mind? Besides, (the role of any) organisation or political angle behind the incident (will be probed).
